Title: Co - Lead: National Clinical Programme in Surgery Grade: Consultant Surgeon Department: Department of Surgical Affairs Area: National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS), HSE & RCSI Tenure: This assignment will be for 2 Days /week for 24 months (Renewable) Location: National - RCSI 121 St Stephens Green, Hospital Group and at Local Hospital Level. Reporting to: Acute Hospitals - National Clinical Advisor Group Lead (NCAGL) & National Clinical Strategy & Programmes Director and working closely with the National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS) and Project Support Office RCSI RCSI: Managing Director of Surgical Affairs and Committee for Surgical Affairs of RCSI The National Clinical Programme in Surgery Building on the work of the National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS), is seeking a Co- Lead for National Clinical Programme in Surgery. The first phase of National Clinical Programme in Surgery was based on strong clinical leadership and developing excellence in specialties/specific conditions and specific populations. The NCPS next stage will address Quality Improvement with all Surgical Specialties and support for the integrated care programmes, to provide a more effective end-to-end patient journey, particularly where patient needs are complex and involve multiple encounters delivered across a range of providers. The aim of the National Clinical Programme in Surgery is to provide a framework for the delivery of safer, timely, accessible, more cost effective and efficient care for the surgical patient: by placing the needs and views of the patient/service user at the center of care plans; supporting optimal use of resources, avoiding unnecessary delays in care and facilitating seamless co-ordination of care across multiple settings. Put simply, the programme aims to ensure that patients/service users receive the right care, by the right person, in the right place, at the right time. The ultimate goal is better outcomes and experience for patients and staff. The sponsor for this role is the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division (CSPD) and National Clinical Advisors and Group Leads (NCAGL) for the Acute Hospital. EXISTING AND PLANNED WORKSTREAM Acute Floor and Acute Floor Information System (AFIS) National Project Board Outpatient Services Performance Improvement Programme Expert Committee (OSPIP) NQAIS Steering Group Nursing Forum Patient Experience Surveys Acute Floor Deteriorating Patients Working Group Acute Surgical Assessment Unit (ASAU) Theatre Transformation Programme (TTP) Nursing Task Force Collaboration with Health Outcomes Research (HORC) HRB (Health Research Board) Grant Award for 'Development of a multi-faceted approach to reducing and mitigating the risk of foreign object retention (FOR), a collaboration between NCPS (RCSI) and Trinity College Surgical Manpower (HSE - NDTP) Trauma Project (DOH) Outputs of Consultants Application Advisory Committee (CAAC) Advisory Group for Reconfiguration of Services at Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise Medical Adviser to NTPF Emergency Medicine Early Warning System Guideline Development Advisory Group Quality Improvement Division - Improvement Competency Education Programme Integrated Care Programme Patient Flow National Steering Group Co- Lead National Clinical Programme in Surgery The Co- Lead National Clinical Programme in Surgery will be responsible for providing clinical leadership to the Programme and the Specialties in Surgery National Clinical Advisors and will be a key member of the NCPS. The role will involve active membership of the NCPS Steering Group, Working Group, the Committee of Surgical Affairs (CSA) and other groups and committees which support the work of the Programme including but not limited to leading in specific initiatives, whether at HSE or DOH level, such as waiting lists, unscheduled care, hospital configuration, surgical manpower and surgical workforce planning. Working closely with the existing Co Lead, Programme Manager, Programme Steering and Working Groups, Managing Director of Surgical Affairs and the oversight committee the CSA, and with the support of the National Clinical Advisors, the Clinical Lead will contribute to prioritising, initiation and leadership of work-streams and projects relevant to the NCPS. This includes providing clinical oversight and management on behalf of the NCAGL of Acute Hospitals, of existing National Clinical Care Programmes. The Clinical Lead will work within the context of an overall agreed national governance structure as described by CSPD and the RCSI. It is through this governance structure that Programme plan, projects and outputs will be approved. RESPONSIBILITIES The duties and role responsibilities include working towards the following: To always act in the best interests of patient care with regard to the quality, safety and efficiency of that care whether delivered nationally or locally and independent of self or vested interests To support and implement the key principles set out by National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS) and those of the specialty itself through engagement with HSE Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division, Hospitals and Hospital Groups and other Clinical Programmes To develop a succinct and evidence based Model(s) of Care as an addendum to the NCPS's Elective and Acute Models of Care. To review, interrogate and summarise all available national activity data including NQAIS, NOCA audits and HSE performance metrics, including Waiting Lists (SDU, NTPF), Staffing profiles (NDTP) etc. Having a knowledge and maintaining a map of the services delivered nationally and within and across Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations. To document an up to date assessment of the present surgical workforce both nationally and within and across Hospital Groups and advise the Consultant Application and Appointment Committee on the appointment of new and replacement posts. To provide feedback to update and inform the NCPS, the Directorate of Clinical Strategy and Programmes, the National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead Acute Hospitals Division and the RCSI Committee for Surgical Affairs To bring final documents/reports/recommendations to the RCSI committee for Surgical Affairs for consideration and recommendations to Council of RCSI. To attend NCPS and relevant healthcare meetings, visit hospitals and clinical sites as necessary and participate in creating an NCPS surgery learning hub that captures learning from good practice. To identify, highlight and address problem areas for that specialty be they related to quality, safety, process, cost, structural, staffing, professional or governance issues. To drive Quality Improvement initiatives in that specialty working with other specialties, Clinical Programmes, Nursing and Allied Health Professionals: starting with a single QI initiative to include the Acute Floor, In-patient and Theatre, Waiting lists and Planned or Elective processes across the patient journey. To work with RCSI's Health Outcomes Research Committee where and when appropriate. To represent RCSI and NCPS at relevant meetings or conferences as required Comply with Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation. Comply with the Ethics in Public Office (a copy of this declaration should be forwarded to the office of the Director of Clinical Strategy and Programmes each year). Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role. Governance: Reporting to RCSI Committee for Surgical Affairs (the RCSI Clinical Programmes oversight committee) or its designate (Managing Director of Surgical Affairs) and through the National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS), Acute Hospitals - National Clinical Advisor Group Lead (NCAGL) and National Clinical Strategy & Programmes Director. The Clinical Lead shall ensure that the CSPD is provided with all necessary information to exercise governance and policy responsibilities. This reporting relationship will be facilitated by regular meetings between the Clinical Lead and the NCAGL for Acute Hospitals. In line with Clinical Strategy and Programme Division progression and /or re-structuring, the reporting relationship may change. Administrative and secretarial support: Clinical Programme Support Office RCSI. The above Role Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OFFICE The successful candidate will retain their existing terms and conditions of employment on secondment into this role, if relevant. Appropriate arrangements for backfill will be made with the employer (if required). The successful candidate will be required to take up duty as soon as possible. The term of office will be initially for a one year period. The term of office may be extended subject to satisfactory annual review with the National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead for Acute Hospitals and with the agreement of both parties. It is anticipated that the position requires a commitment of 1.5 -2.5 days per week. During the term a performance and development plan for the individual according to mutually agreed goals and parameters will be agreed with the NCAGL Acute Hospitals. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Candidates must at the time of application**:** Be a medically qualified health professional with no less than 10 years of post- qualification experience. Recently retired consultants from the public service may apply. However, the appointment of a retiree to the role will necessitate an agreement between the HSE and the relevant post graduate college with regard to employment by them of the successful candidate. Be registered with the Medical Council of Ireland on the specialist division of the register. Have held a relevant leadership role at a regional or national level in surgery. HEALTH A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. KEY SKILLS/EXPERIENCE Clinical/ Professional Knowledge Demonstrates: Credibility and ability to command respect as a recognised clinical leader within the clinical community with a good understanding of the reform programme and its requirements of clinical leaders. Experience of providing significant senior clinical input to operational decision making. A track record as an effective leader who has developed effective teams and driven and delivered sustainable change programmes to transform clinical services. A capacity to operate successfully and efficiently in a challenging environment. A commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to improve patient outcomes, by consistently putting clinicians at the heart of decision making and involving patients and the public in their work. Demonstrate capability to effectively engage in the development of a transparent and objective resource utilisation model. Results focused with critical analysis and decision making Strong personal emphasis on achieving high standards of excellence and willingness to take personal responsibility to initiate activities and drive objectives through to a conclusion. Ability to rapidly assimilate and analyse complex information, make timely decisions and take ownership of those decisions and their implications. Capacity to anticipate problems and to recognise when to involve other parties at the appropriate time and level. Capacity to integrate scientific research, use data and best clinical practice in knowledge generation, transfer and application and seeks out innovative solutions. Acceptance of, and comfort with, environments characterised by ambiguity, change management, continuous development and a requirement for flexible and creative approaches to resolution. Leadership-working with and through others Demonstrates: The ability to influence and negotiate effectively in furthering the objectives of the role. The ability to build excellent collaborative networks and a track record of building and maintaining key internal and external relationships in furtherance of organisational goals. Recognition and respect for the expertise of others and the contribution of team members; to harness good teamwork and open contributions to enable the achievement of programme aims. Highly developed communication skills which include an ability to convey clinical priorities and complex messages to colleagues, various stakeholders, media and interest groups. APPLICATION PROCESS Candidates interested in being considered for this position should apply by submitting a CV, together with a brief note clearly indicating their relevant experience. Applicants must apply through the online /careers Informal enquiries can be made to Mr. Kieran Ryan, Managing Director Surgical Affairs through e-mail: Short listing may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in the application. The criteria for short listing are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and key skills and experience sections section of this role description. Therefore it is very important that candidates think about their experience in light of those requirements. Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process. Those successful at the shortlisting stage of this process (where applied) will be called forward to a skills match meeting with senior management. rcsia